As the Secretary of State’s office opened for filing for political office this morning, Circuit Judge Anita Harold Ashley was one of the first in line to file for reelection to her seat in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, Division 3.
Judge Ashley is currently in the eighth year of her term as Circuit Judge, as one of the three judges serving the four county circuit, consisting of Calhoun, Roane, Jackson, and Mason counties. While all candidates for judge are required to run in all four counties, Judge Ashley, who lives in Spencer, is seeking reelection in the division which requires the judge to reside in Roane or Calhoun County. This non-partisan race will be decided in the May primary.
Recently completing a one year term as President of the West Virginia Judicial Association, Judge Ashley worked on various issues at the state legislature and helped develop a strategic plan for the judiciary. Having a keen interest in issues involving children and families, Judge Ashley was honored as the 2022Judge of the Year by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), an organization of volunteers who assist the courts in cases involving abused and neglected children. Judge Ashley was selected as a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow in 2023. In addition to her responsibilities as Circuit Judge, Judge Ashley proudly presides over the successful Roane-Calhoun Adult Drug Court and the Roane-Calhoun Family Treatment Court, two programs designed to deal with the drug problem plaguing our communities.
Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Ashley had a very successful law practice, handling a variety of cases and offering many kinds of legal services. She was a Family Law Master, an assistant prosecutor, represented individuals in criminal and civil cases, and was guardian as litem for children in abuse-neglect cases. She was named as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by U.S. News and World Report from 2012 to 2016 and one of “West Virginia’s Best Attorneys” by The State Journal. In 2014, she was named a “National Top 10 Attorney” by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. Like her career as a lawyer, Judge Ashley enjoys a stellar reputation as a judge who carefully applies the law, manages a busy docket, and assures that those who appear before her receive justice.
Married to Bob Ashley, a former legislator, Judge Ashley is the proudmother of two adult sons and three grandchildren.
